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To request that the Chief Administrative Officer cause to be developed a process for renaming the Robert E. Lee Memorial Bridge.
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WHEREAS, upon information and belief of the Council, the bridge which carries U.S. Route 1 and U.S. Route 301 across the James River, extending from South Belvidere Street to Cowardin Avenue, was built in 1933 and was originally known as the James River Bridge; and
WHEREAS, upon information and belief of the Council, the James River Bridge was dedicated and named the Robert E. Lee Memorial Bridge in 1934; and
WHEREAS, upon information and belief of the Council, the Robert E. Lee Memorial Bridge (the “Bridge”) was completely rebuilt in 1985 and later modified by the installation of the pedestrian walkway underneath that leads to Belle Isle; and
WHEREAS, it is the sense of the Council that the City would be better served by a new name for the Bridge which reflects contemporary culture and uses; and
WHEREAS, the Council is in favor of renaming the Bridge and hereby endorses a fair, clear, and transparent process that encourages and promotes community input according to existing laws, policies, and procedures of the City;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND:
That the Council requests that the Chief Administrative Officer cause to be developed a process for renaming the Bridge that, at a minimum:
1. With the assistance of the History and Culture Commission, involves one or more community input sessions, which incorporate social distancing protocols, for the solicitation of proposals for a new name for the Bridge, and the submission of a report to the Mayor and the Council on such sessions by no later than July 31, 2020.
2. Requires that any proposed name for the Bridge adhere to sections 8-7 through 8-10 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2015), as amended.
3. Requests that the History and Culture Commission provide the Mayor and the Council with a list of potential new names for the Bridge.
4. Preserves the prerogative of the Council to review and approve any new name for the bridge as provided for in section 8-8 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2015), as amended.